4th Grade Morenci Elementary Students Earn Highest MEAP Writing Scores in County

April 16, 2013 - PRLog -- 4th grade students at Morenci Elementary school scored the highest in writing for the 2012/2013 MEAP test in Lenawee County with significant improvement gained in their writing scores compared to previous years MEAP results.

The school improved its writing scores from 25 percent for the 2011/2012 school year to 60 percent in the 2012/2013 school year.

Mary Fisher, principal at Morenci Elementary school, attributes the improved MEAP writing scores to WriteSteps, (http://WriteStepsWriting.com) an award-winning, research-based, 100% K-5 Common Core writing and grammar program the school adopted into its curriculum three years ago.

“Our writing scores have consistently been in the bottom of the state for years. To get a 60 percent is really great. All of us at Morenci were ecstatic,” said Fisher. “The program gives my teachers a different perspective for teaching writing and WriteSteps is the curriculum we have adopted for our school.”

Last year, Morenci Elementary ranked number 1296 in the state of Michigan out of 1531 elementary schools tested. This year, Morenci Elementary jumped ahead in rank by 917 schools and is now ranked number 379 in the state of Michigan for 4th grade MEAP writing scores.

Fisher says the lower level teachers have really embraced WriteSteps and are really excited about what their kids are doing. She consistently hears “Can you believe this, look at what my student wrote!” and has noticed exceptional writing occurring with the students.

Fisher’s one requirement prior to purchasing WriteSteps was to make sure her entire staff was on board and prepared to use the writing and grammar program. Her teachers found success through the support of professional development as well as sufficient time given to them to implement WriteSteps into their classrooms.

Morenci Elementary is a rural school situated in Morenci, MI. It is a schoolwide Title 1 school where over 60 percent of its students qualify for free and reduced lunch.  Along with placing first in Lenawee County for 4th grade MEAP writing, Morenci Elementary also placed first in the county for 3rd grade MEAP reading.  

“Who knows what will happen next year,” said Fisher. “But what I’m seeing coming out of second grade is exciting. Our second graders are writing like experts!”

WriteSteps is committed to reaching classrooms around the nation to continue to improve student writing skills and is thrilled to have contributed to the academic successes of the students at Morenci Elementary School.

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ABOUT WRITESTEPS:

In 2007, WriteSteps Founder and CEO Suzanne Klein committed herself to creating teacher-friendly writing lessons after her school decided to prioritize writing due to low student outcomes. The writing program she developed - WriteSteps - was so successful in raising test scores and student confidence that the company expanded its scope to refocus instruction on the Common Core State Standards for writing and grammar. Its Common Core release won a "Best of Entrepreneurs" Award from Ann Arbor SPARK in 2010 and launched nationwide in September, 2011. WriteSteps is the recipient of Learning Magazine 2013 Teachers' Choice Award. For complete information, e-Newsletters, and the WriteSteps blog, please go to http://WriteStepsWriting.com (http://writestepswriting.com/Home.aspx).

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Anjilla Young, Communications Specialist

Anjilla@WriteStepsWriting.com

Phone:  1-800-689-1408